How Weather Forecast Impacts Your Exercise

Lucas Heitkemp, 18, tries to hit the gym at least five times a week, especially when the weather is just right.

"When it's really hot I find myself just wanting to stay inside and stay in the air conditioning, but I really try to push myself to come here every day, as much as I can," Heitkemp said.

However, during weather extremes, hot sunny temps or when the mercury drops below freezing, Heitkemp says it's harder to get himself to the gym.

"I just want to stay motivated and that is just one thing holding me back. I just have to fight through it," Heitkemp said.

Heitkamp isn’t alone. In fact, some exercise specialists believe the weather influences whether any of us are likely to workout. That’s especially true for people who live in cold winter or hot summer climates, something KELOLAND residents often face.

"Let alone, just getting into the gym is hard enough, but when there is a bad blizzard in South Dakota, it's hard to get to the gym," exercise specialist Adam Geffre said.

Exercise specialist, Adam Geffre, believes the local weather does impact when you are most likely to visit the gym. The result can be a greater risk of obesity.

"A lot of times we psych ourselves out when it comes to exercise, you have to want it, you actually have to want something for yourself and it is very difficult," Geffre said.

Exercise specialists say if you can't get to the gym, find items around your house to help you work out.

“Any type of exercise that you can do in this gym you can do just about anywhere in your own home, even little things like curling milk jugs or laundry detergent, it's exercise, you're moving resistance," Geffre said.

Regardless of the forecast, Geffre says it’s important to stay motivated.

"You really just have to want it. You have to have your priorities in line and if you don't know what those priorities are then you can talk to someone like me and we can get that out of you," Gefffre said.

"At the end of the workout I still feel the same way so no matter if it's cold or if it's hot outside, you're still going to feel good after your workout. That's what I like to think to stay positive," Heitkemp said.

Researchers say the area of the country that works out more often is the Mountain West where the weather in the summers are cool and dry.